Key events
69 mins: The lineout is quick and shifted immediately infield before the gold jerseys are hauled down inches from the line. But for the first time today the script is flipped with Australia’s forwards unable to convert the pick-and-go score with a knock-on identified on the ground.
68 mins: McDermott does well to hold onto a difficult lineout tap then wriggle through traffic to set up an attacking platform. The ruck play is sharp, Williams has room near the right corner, he offloads to McDermott who must surely score – but he fumbles! Play is recalled to an earlier advantage which is kicked to the right corner.
67 mins: Leitch returns the dropout as Japan try to get some energy into their phase play but Australia are absolutely monstering the breakdown, Paenga-Amosa the latest forward to add a turnover to his stats sheet.
65 mins: Ito gets the better of a kicking exchange with Donaldson, forcing Wright to concede a dropout with the ball refusing to roll dead.
63 mins: Japan grind their way through some phase play off a lineout on the right. Ito and Saito have been denied the space they exploited last weekend and it’s no surprise when Tizzano secures his third turnover penalty of the day as the visitors tread water.
61 mins: Australia have been clinical this afternoon, taking just about every opportunity offered them.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 35-17 Japan (De Lutiis, 59)
Wilson steamrolls into the defensive line off the lineout. Lonergan sends up a bomb that Jorgensen chases, causing havoc. The ball ricochets the Wallabies’ way and Gordon relishes the broken field, streaking toward the right corner. He’s hauled down inches from the line, which means a guaranteed score from an Australian front-rower, right? And this time it’s Wallaby 1,000 De Lutiis, on debut, who gets the dream start to his Test career!
Lonergan continues his superb touch off the tee.
57 mins: Henry does well to hold on in midfield as he accepts a hospital pass off the back of the lineout. The Wallabies are lacking fluency in the backs, conceding ground and missing connections repeatedly. Gordon is out of position, Bell fumbles, what is going on? This is a shambolic phase of play that is mercifully ended by Wright kicking deep. After some kicking exchanges Japan belt into touch just beyond halfway.
55 mins: A rare poor lineout from the Wallabies and Japan counter in broken field – until Tizzano locks down another ruck and earns the referee’s whistle. That is his second clean tackle-breakdown penalty of the match.
53 mins: Hockings pilfers the restart, Leitch grinds inside attacking 22, but Japan can’t build any momentum as Williams gets over the ball at the ruck and wins the penalty.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 28-17 Japan (Bell, 51)
The lineout is superb, Gordon hits the defensive line at pace, and from inches Australia’s front row are unstoppable. This time it’s Bell who has the honour of touching down and accepting the plaudits.
Lonergan dinks over another couple of points.
51 mins: The penalty is kicked to the right corner. We know what happens next, right?
50 mins: Lonergan goes to the skies early in the drive and Jorgensen again reels it in. The Wallabies build some phase play into the 22 but it’s all a bit scrappy and the referee is happy to recall play to an earlier advantage. This allows De Lutiis the opportunity to rumble onto the field and become Wallaby 1,000.
49 mins: Australia do their job at the set piece, Lonergan kicks a towering bomb that causes havoc on its descent but bounces Japan’s way. The visiting tight five get to work, making marginal gains down the right, bludgeoning their work into attacking territory. Eventually the ball is spun wide but the home defence is well set and moves up as one, smothering Kida and forcing the turnover.
47 mins: The second effort becomes a Japan free-kick and the ball is quickly spun to the left wing. The Brave Blossoms reset and head back infield where there’s some loose handling that isn’t called as a knock-on. Eventually a crossfield kick dribbles into touch at the 22.
45 mins: Japan with the scrum feed on halfway on the right flank. It requires resetting.
44 mins: Momentum quickly stalls and Potter ends up running about 30m crossfield before the Wallabies reset. The ball goes through hands to the left where Wright puts a beautiful step to create room on the outside and he has thoughts of a try in the corner until he’s hauled down just a few yards from the line. He then concedes a penalty on the floor and the visitors breathe a sigh of relief.
42 mins: Much cleaner lineout from Japan who attack off the left with Saito busy before Ito dabs a grubber to the right corner. Australia take a quick unopposed lineout and run the ball bravely to the 22 where Lonergan box kicks. Jorgensen steams through, takes the contested mark and streaks to attacking 22!
41 mins: Australia gather the restart then exit by boot to halfway.
The teams are out for the fourth and final half of this bilateral series.
Half-time: Australia 21-17 Japan
The third highly entertaining half of Test rugby in a row between these sides ends with the hosts with their noses just in front.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 21-17 Japan (Tupou, 39)
The lineout is solid, the maul forms but Japan hold it steady. The ball comes out to Paisami to hit the line. With penalty advantage the Wallabies go through the phases near the uprights. Wilson leads the charge, Paisami creates width, and Tupou is there again like a charging rhino to score his second of the day – from a combined two metres!
Lonergan extends the lead to four points.
37 mins: Another spoiled lineout! Australia succeed at the set piece and get to work infield where Tupou is tackled without the ball. Gordon kicks the penalty to the left corner. This is exactly where this iteration of the Wallabies love to be.
35 mins: Australia were a few centimetres away from a 21-12 lead, and now find themselves three points behind. Japan are a joyful side to watch with ball in hand.
TRY! Australia 14-17 Japan (Riley, 33)
The Brave Blossoms don’t dwell on their misfortune for long. The dropout is returned with interest. Some lovely interplay in midfield sends Era through the defensive line and with quick ruck play Riley is over in the right corner, brushing off a couple of ineffective tackles from Tizzano and Wright. Japan lead!
Matsunaga clips the near post with his touchline conversion attempt.
31 mins: Japan get a free-kick off their scrum feed in their own half and snipe down the left. The ball is recycled superbly to the right where Kida makes good ground and manages to set up a solid foundation. Play slows inside the 22 so Ito puts some sidesteps to good use before Hockings and Gunter drive inside 10m. The phases mount to 14, then 15 as the try line nears, Japan are surely going to score! Yazaki accepts the responsibility, spins, reaches over the line, but he’s held up incredibly by Wright and Gordon, with Paisami joining in for good measure. Huge missed opportunity.
29 mins: Another Australian score off the back of a set piece! This time a lineout just outside the 22 sent quickly from left to right through hands. Henry smashes through the line after being fed by Paisani, with Lonergan up in support to accept the assist off the shoulder. Scintillating rugby. And it won’t count… Paisami’s short pass to feed Henry through was forward. The timing was split-second. So so close.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 14-12 Japan (Saito, 26)
Shaw steals the lineout! Australia are monstering Japan at the set-piece so far. But the Wallabies soon lose possession and Japan reply with interest! The forward momentum catches Australia by surprise, Bell is cleaned out with force (and possibly high) at the breakdown putting the Brave Blossoms on the front foot. Unable to regroup the Wallabies are penalised at the next phase, and they’re still discombobulated as Saito takes the quick tap and dashes 5m unopposed to dive under the crossbar. That was all a bit confused and sloppy from Australia, and impudent from Japan.
The conversion is unmissable.
24 mins: Australia kick to halfway then get ambitious off the lineout with Gordon showing his imagination. Wright kicks to the right corner, looking for a 50/22 but Saito is alert to it, sidesteps the chaser and kicks cannily down the line. The Wallabies regroup, accept a couple of phases, but Lonergan goes to the boot early again – as does Ito in return – and it pays dividends with Wright penalised at the ruck after running headlong into traffic. Japan kick to the right corner and load up.
22 mins: Australia almost spoil another lineout but Japan survive and get into work in midfield – until Era runs straight into Tizzano who executes the tackle, remains on his feet and secures a textbook breakdown penalty.
21 mins: From the set piece on the left the ball is quickly on the right wing as Japan showcase their handling skills. Ito jabs through a grubber to turn Australia around and force them to regroup on their own try line. The Wallaby defensive foundation is solid and Lonergan kicks to the 22.
19 mins: From the restart Lonergan box kicks from just outside his 22. Jorgensen competes in the air, the Wallabies pick up the pieces and Tupou – yes Tupou – dabs through a delightful grubber with the outside of his right boot that bobbles into touch on the left wing inside Japan’s 22. But play is recalled for a knock-on against Jorgensen and Japan have a scrum on halfway.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 14-5 Japan (Tupou, 17)
The Wallabies execute a short lineout and are quickly in motion. Henry breaks the gainline, Salakaia-Loto drives to the shadow of the crossbar, and Tupou bulldozes his way over from a metre! The second try from an Australian big man behind a beautifully timed set piece.
Lonergan can’t miss the conversion from point blank range.
15 mins: Australia steal a Japan lineout on halfway, expanding quickly to the right, kicking early, and forcing Japan to concede a line dropout. The kick is long, dealt with by Cale, and the Wallabies get into their work before Gordon kicks early again, this time into the right corner, forcing a hurried clearing kick that barely clears the 22.
TRY! Australia 7-5 Japan (Hockings, 11)
Japan get some time on the ball that ends with Kida chipping and chasing down the right wing, forcing Wright to concede a line drop-out that Gordon smashes miles downfield before Gunter returns it with his mighty bulk. Japan go for the early kick again, turning the gold defence on its heels, but Lonergan does well to recover. The ruck is slow, both teams set for the clearing box kick, but Hockings is up in a flash, Lonergan takes a couple of unnecessary steps, and the ball is smothered off the boot, bouncing kindly for the Japanese Queenslander and he has the simple task of putting downward pressure on the ball to complete the immediate reply!
Matsunaga will be disappointed with a poor conversion attempt.
9 mins: The Wallabies’ best is very very good. Attacking behind set-pieces has become a trademark, especially the interplay between forwards and backs, creating space in wide areas. If they can match that with some savvy game management they’ll be a decent side.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-0 Japan (Nasser, 7)
Finally Lonergan gets to feed the ball into the scrum and milk a penalty advantage. Jorgensen accepts the first pass, crossing the gainline at speed before inviting Henry to do the same. Play stalls on halfway but Wright and Tizzano find some more momentum on the left. That opens space on the right where the ball is flung crisply through hands to Jorgensen. The flyer scorches down the touchline until he’s hauled down just before the stripe. From there it’s classic pick-and-go from Nasser to burrow his way the few final required inches. Terrific start for the Wallabies!
Lonergan strikes a beautiful touchline conversion to honour the superb early try.
6 mins: … twice.
5 mins: Of course, the scrum is reset.
4 mins: Japan are patient but unable to secure the quick ball they are renowned for. Eventually Jorgensen flies out of the line, rushing up on Uenobo, forcing an error. The Wallabies with the first scrum feed of the afternoon.
3 mins: The Wallabies secure lineout ball and Lonergan box kicks to halfway. Japan win the aerial contest and get into the neat phase play they demonstrated to good effect last week. Ito kicks inside the 22 but Gordon marks it and dashes into the line with intent. Wright shanks his attempted bomb allowing Japan to regather and mount another multiphase attack.
2 mins: Carter Gordon kicks the match into life, lofting the kick-off into Japan’s 22. The visitors deal with the danger and kick clear, benefiting from a fortunate bounce near the touchline, sending the clearance deep into Australian territory.
Kick-off!
The second Test of the Les Kiss era is under way…
The low key atmosphere isn’t helped by two of the less upbeat national anthems and the sky becoming blanketed in cloud. Hopefully the players can spark the occasion into life.
And here come the two sides out into the Townsville afternoon. It’s all a bit muted in a stadium far from full.
Both teams are wearing the same uniforms they performed in last week. That means Australia in gold and green, Japan in red and white hoops with white trim.
Today’s referee is New Zealander Paul Williams.
It is a beautiful dry mostly sunny day in north Queensland with temperatures in the low 20s. An easterly breeze may make life awkward for goal kickers.
Japan XV
Just the five changes from Eddie Jones after his team’s promising display last weekend. Among the quintet coming into the starting lineup is Harry Hockings, born a couple of hours along the Bruce Highway in Prosperpine.
1 Takato Okabe, 2 Hayate Era, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi, 4 Harry Hockings, 5 Warner Dearns (c), 6 Ben Gunter, 7 Tiennan Costley, 8 Faulua Makisi, 9 Naoto Saitō, 10 Ryunosuke Ito, 11 Yoshitaka Yazaki, 12 Dylan Riley, 13 Shunsuke Uenobo, 14 Haruto Kida, 15 Takuro Matsunaga.
Reserves: 16 Mamoru Harada, 17 Sojiro Otsuka, 18 Izi Sword, 19 Jack Cornelsen, 20 Michael Leitch, 21 Itsuki Kamimura, 22 Samisoni Tua, 23 Kazuma Ueda.
Australia XV
The Wallabies have made eight changes to their starting XV, including an almost brand new pack. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii misses out with injury, joining centre partner Len Ikitau on the sidelines. Isaac Henry comes in for his first start after debuting off the bench in Higashiōsaka. Another debutant, Massimo de Lutiis, is in line to become Wallaby cap number 1,000.
1. Angus Bell, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Lachlan Shaw, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Charlie Cale, 7. Carlo Tizzano, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Carter Gordon, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Hunter Paisami, 13. Isaac Henry, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright.
Replacements: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Ben Donaldson, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Jack Snape
Of the No 10s tried by the Wallabies in the past two years, injuries, form, age or commitments overseas have prevented any from securing the jersey. That dynamic was highlighted when Rugby Australia paid the Gold Coast Titans – Carter’s club during his flirtation with rugby league – what was described by a “comprehensive financial settlement” to trigger a release from the final year of his NRL contract.
But just as his NRL career was impeded by injury, so too has the resumption of his one in union. Injuries, or “small niggles” as Carter described them, sidelined the 25-year-old from Nambour immediately after the two Tests he has played for the Wallabies since his return.
Angus Fontaine
In his first Test as new Wallabies coach and World Cup saviour, Les Kiss stepped up. Despite only two weeks with the team, he showed enough coaching nous to outlast his rivals on their home range. The Wallabies started slow, lost a man to a red card and played like a hot mess at times. But they kept climbing and found a way to win.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v Japan in the second and final Test of this bilateral series. Kick-off at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville is scheduled for 3.15pm.
The Wallabies snuck home in the series opener last Saturday to kick off the Les Kiss era with a morale boosting win. But in a highly entertaining contest it was 21-year-old flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito who stole the show, leading the Brave Blossoms around the field with boundless creativity.
Ito’s brilliance contrasted with yet another underwhelming performance from an Australian five-eighth, this time Declan Meredith. In the past two years the Wallabies have auditioned seven No 10s in a so-far forlorn search for a consistent playmaker. Kiss continues that quest, replacing Meredith with Carter Gordon, who is fit to start following a calf strain.
Gordon is one of eight changes to the XV that started the hot and humid first Test as Kiss explores his options with precious little preparation time ahead of next year’s World Cup.
I’ll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is jonathan.howcroft.freelance@theguardian.com.